What I Want - Jellaludin Rumi

[Larry Robinson]

What I Want

What I want is to see your face
            In a tree, in the sun coming out,
                        In the air.
What I want is
            To hear the falcon-drum and light again
                        On your forearm.
 
You say, "Tell him I'm not here."  The sound
            Of that brusque dismissal
                        Becomes what I want.
 
To see in every palm your elegant silver coin shavings,
            To turn with the wheel of the rain,
                        To fall with the falling bread
 
Of every experience,
            To swim like a huge fish
                        In ocean water,
 
To be Jacob recognizing Joseph.
            To be a desert mountain
                        Instead of a city.
 
I'm tired of cowards.
            I want to live with lions.
                        With Moses.
 
Not whining, teary people.  I want
            The ranting of drunkards.
                        I want to sing like birds sing,
 
Not worrying who hears,
            Or what they think.
                        Last night,
 
A great teacher went from door to door
            With a lamp. "He who is not to be found
                        Is the one I'm looking for."
 
Beyond wanting, beyond place, inside form,
            That one.  A flute says, I have no hope           
                        For finding that.
 
But love plays
            And is the music played.
                        Let that musician
Finish this poem.  Shams,
            I am a waterbird
                        Flying into the sun.

	- Jellaludin Rumi
	  (Translated by Coleman Barks)
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